- The problem
- On certain heavy-duty class 8 vehicles, the tabs on some of the lift axle spindle nuts may have been broken during assembly. When in place, the tabs on the nuts prevent the nuts from loosening.
- The risk
- When the tabs are broken, the possibility exists that the nut might spin off. If this happens, the wheel and wheel end assembly could fall off, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lift axle spindle nut. The recall began on june 5, 2006. Owners may contact autocar at 1-765-489-5499.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Autocar WX Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2004 Autocar WX with NHTSA. Those complaints describe 1 crash and 3 injuries. It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in May 2006 for the suspension. For comparison, the 2003 has 0 and the 2005 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical WX year, for its age
#455 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
2004 Autocar WX recalls 9
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty trucks, exposed 12v terminals on the battery disconnect switch are in close proximity to a hinged metal latch on the battery box lid. When latching or un-latching the battery box lid, it is possible that a person wearing metal jewelry (like a watch or finger ring) might connect the grounded, metal latch to the exposed positive terminals on the battery disconnect switch through such jewelry.
- The risk
- Grounding as a result of the contact described above could produce heat and could cause burns to skin that is in contact with metal jewelry.
- The fix
- Dealers will relocate the switch to a position further away from the metal catch and install isolating protectors over the battery disconnect switch terminals. The recall is began on february 20, 2006. Owners may contact autocar at 1-765-489-5499.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the backup alarm motion sensor may not have been installed correctly and may not sense when the vehicle movers backwards under any circumstances.
- The risk
- The vehicle may roll backwards without the backup alarm sounding with the risk of running over or crushing a person standing or working behind the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealers will reposition the motion sensor in relation to the magnets that rotate when the vehicle moves. The recall began on october 19, 2004. Owners may contact autocar at 1-877-973-3486.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty class 8 vehicles fitted with neway ad series suspensions, the suspension has transverse beam castings that may fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam may drop down low enough to contact the road surface.
- The risk
- This will cause sparks that could potentially ignite and cause a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies free of charge. The recall began on april 1, 2005. Owners may contact autocar at 765-489-5499.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks equipped with bendix automatic brake systems (abs), the brakes may have a system fault that may not be detected by the abs electronic control uunit (ecu) and therefore will not generate an abs warning light on the dash of the truck.
- The risk
- The abs brakes may not perform as designed and in an abs assisted stop the driver may not be able to maintain steering control of the vehicle. When vehicle control is compromised there is a chance for a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect, reset and check the ecu for fault lights and check the abs brakes free of charge. The recall began on february 11, 2005. Owners may contact autocar at 1-877-973-3486.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks equipped with arvinmeritor urresko tie rod clamps, heat treatment of clamps created a surface hardness that could lead to a fracture of the clamps.
- The risk
- In the event of a crack the clamps could break off affecting toe-in and alignment. The tie rod can come loose resulting in steering loss and a crash could occur without prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair these vehicles free of charge. The recall began on march 24, 2005. Owners may contact autocar at 1-765-489-5499.
- The problem
- On certain trucks, the air suspension height control valve may not be installed correctly.
- The risk
- In the event of a suspension air bag failure or rupture of the air line, there could be a loss of air pressure in the 'b' system air reservoir that supplies air pressure for the front steer axle brakes. This condition would increase stopping distance of the vehicle and under certain conditions could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and install a pressure protection valve if necessary. The recall began january 4 2005. Owners should contact autocar at 1-877-973-3486.
- The problem
- On certain heavy-duty class 8 vehicles, the automatic antilock brake system (abs) brake sensor bracket may not have been installed correctly on the front axle and may interfere with the brake shoe return spring. This could cause the brakes to not release or may cause an unexpected front wheel lockup and possible loss of vehicle control.
- The risk
- Any time vehicle control is compromised a crash may occur without prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will reposition the abs sensor bracket into its proper location and the replacement of the brake return springs and s-cam rollers. The recall began on november 24, 2004. Owners should contact autocar at 1-877-973-3486.
- The problem
- On certain trucks equipped with accuride 22.5 X 9.00 - Hub pilot h.D. Steel wheel rims, the rear axle wheel studs are too short. These studs may not be able to retain the wheel nut torque and could loosen allowing the loss of a wheel.
- The risk
- If a vehicle loses a wheel while traveling down a roadway, a crash could occur, property damage to following vehicles or personal injury to persons outside the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the rear axle wheel studs. The recall began on september 3, 2004. Owners should contact autocar at 1-877-973-3486.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2004 Autocar WX
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Consumer stated 3 hospitalized after garbage truck collides with van. Alleged brake pedal fracture. No traffic charges were filed at this time, due to the possibility of mechanical failure. Updated 04/24/14*lj updated 8/22/2017 *cn
Autocar WX: every year compared
All WX yearsQuestions about the 2004 Autocar WX
Does the 2004 Autocar WX have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2004 Autocar WX: suspension (May 2006); cables (February 2006); external / pedestrian alert (June 2005); suspension (April 2005) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2004 Autocar WX had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 24, 2014 and the latest on April 24, 2014. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Autocar WX a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Autocar WX year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2004 Autocar WX has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data